VESSEL REVIEW | Men Du – Cargo transport and marine works support vessel for French operator

Seaway Transport Maritime, a freight and marine works company that operates primarily within France’s Brittany region, recently welcomed a newbuild multi-role vessel to its fleet.

Men Du was built by local shipyard Chantier Naval Delavergne to a design by naval architecture firm Herskovits and Tobie, which also designed Quehan and Viga, the two other vessels currently operated by Seaway. The newest vessel is slightly larger and boasts a carrying capacity of at least 30 per cent greater, though all three are similar in appearance with each one featuring a prominent wave-piercing bow and a forward wheelhouse that provides excellent all-round visibility for the crew.

Men Du has all-aluminium construction, LOA of 42.6 metres, a beam of 8.75 metres, a draught of only 1.63 metres, capacity for 240 tonnes of cargo, a crane with a lifting capacity of 60 tonnes, and deck equipment consisting of capstans, winches, and outrigger pile legs to enable marine works to be carried out in depths of up to eight metres.

The main deck can transport a range of payloads including bulk and project cargo, dangerous goods, and wheeled vehicles. Loading and unloading of cargo will be done with the aid of an aluminium Ro-Ro ramp at the stern.

Two 404kW engines propel the vessel to a maximum speed of just over 11 knots.

Men Du replaces an earlier vessel that served with the Seaway fleet for 30 years.

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